University of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island ยท 4,927 undergraduates
Counsellors: add notes to this page for a student
Is it hard to get into UPEI?
What UPEI asks of an applicant from a high school in Ontario. Its own province's students apply with their own courses and, often, a different tuition rate.
Programs listed
12
12 publish an average or minimum
Lowest published average
70%
Arts, the school's own figure
Highest published average
70%
Arts, the school's own figure
Back for second year
Not published
Share of first-year students who return
| Field | School says | First-year tuition | Graduates working | Co-op |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Minimum overall average 70%, at least 70% in Grade 12 math, no grade below 65%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | No |
| Business and commerce | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | Yes |
| Nursing | Minimum overall average 70% with at least 65% in each required course; competitive (about 70 seats, PEI residents first) | $8,130 | Not published | No |
| Health sciences and kinesiology | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | Yes |
| Life sciences | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | Yes |
| Math and physical sciences | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | Yes |
| Arts and humanities | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | Yes |
| Education (teaching) | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | No |
| Fine and performing arts | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | $8,130 | Not published | No |
Graduates working: two years after graduating.
What are the easiest programs to get into at UPEI?
The programs with the lowest bar in the school's own figures: its published minimum or range. A low bar is not an easy program; competitive programs can take students well above it.
Lowest bar
- 1Applied Arts in JournalismThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 2Applied Climate Change and AdaptationThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 3ArtsThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 4BiotechnologyThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 5Business AdministrationThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 6Environmental StudiesThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 7KinesiologyThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 8MusicThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
Highest bar
- 1Applied Arts in JournalismThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 2Applied Climate Change and AdaptationThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 3ArtsThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 4BiotechnologyThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 5Business AdministrationThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 6Environmental StudiesThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 7KinesiologyThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
- 8MusicThe school says minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off
What average do you need for each UPEI program?
12 first-year programs you can apply to straight from Grade 12, grouped by field. Open one for its required courses, extra steps, cost and the same program elsewhere.
Engineeringevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Design EngineeringCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%, at least 70% in Grade 12 math, no grade below 65%; no published cut-off | No | $8,130 |
Business and commerceevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business AdministrationCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $8,130 |
Nursingevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| NursingCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70% with at least 65% in each required course; competitive (about 70 seats, PEI residents first) | No | $8,130 |
Health sciences and kinesiologyevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| KinesiologyCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $8,130 |
Life sciencesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Climate Change and AdaptationCharlottetown, then St. Peter's Bay | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | No | $8,130 |
| BiotechnologyCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | No | $8,130 |
| Environmental StudiesCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $8,130 |
Math and physical sciencesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ScienceCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $8,130 |
Arts and humanitiesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Arts in JournalismCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | No | $8,130 |
| ArtsCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $8,130 |
Education (teaching)every university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music EducationCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | No | $8,130 |
Fine and performing artsevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| MusicCharlottetown | Minimum overall average 70%; no published cut-off | No | $8,130 |
How much does UPEI cost?
First year, at this year's prices, for a student from Ontario. Each program's page adds up its own total.
Tuition, first year
$8,130
Depends on the program
Fees on top of tuition
$847 to $1,361
Compulsory student fees
Residence and meals
$12,624
First year, shared room, usual meal plan
Rent after first year
$677 a month
Half a two-bedroom in Charlottetown, CMHC Rental Market Survey, October 2025
Tuition over the years
First-year arts tuition for a student from the school's own province, as the school published it each year.
What is it like at UPEI?
The same whatever program you pick.
- Who gets a room
- No guarantee published
- Money just for your marks
- $3,000 for 95% and up
- $2,000 for 90% and up
- $1,000 for 85% and up
- $500 for 80% and up
- First-years who rate it good or excellent
- Not published
- Finish their degree
- Not published
- Ways in without the usual marks
- Mature Applicant admission. Canadians and permanent residents who are at least 21 on the first day of classes, out of high school for at least three years and with fewer than 12 transfer credit hours can be admitted without the five high school courses or the minimum average. Most programs still ask for specific courses: Grade 12 academic English for the BA (Bachelor of Arts); English and Math for the BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration); English, Math and two sciences for the BSc (Bachelor of Science) and Applied Climate Change; English, Math, Chemistry and Biology for Kinesiology. Not available for Veterinary Medicine, Education or Nursing (Nursing has its own mature rule: 65% in Grade 12 English, Math, Chemistry and Biology or 60% in the same subjects at university level). Who: Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 21 or over, out of school at least three years, who lack the usual courses or average.
- Gateway Program. Mandatory for students entering directly from high school with an admission average of 65% to 69.9% (below the usual 70%). They take 1, 2 or 3 courses a semester in first year and attend mentoring sessions and tutorials. Optional for transfer and articulation students, mature students and anyone who wants extra support. Who: High school graduates with a 65% to 69.9% average in five Grade 12 academic courses; optional for others.
- Bachelor of Integrated Studies. A degree built for adult learners with 'a distinct entry point, ongoing learner supports' and a broad choice of courses. High school graduation is 'not absolutely required'; college certificates, diplomas and earlier university courses can be counted toward it. Five $1,000 Scotiabank scholarships a year go to entering students. Who: Canadian citizens or permanent residents out of high school for at least seven years.
- Unclassified student registration. Anyone can register in undergraduate courses without being admitted to a program (up to 10 three-credit courses at first, two a semester unless the Registrar allows more). Courses taken this way can count toward a program after the student applies and is admitted. Who: People who want to take university courses before, or without, applying to a degree program.
What do UPEI graduates earn?
Statistics Canada does not publish pay by university, only by field for each province's graduates. Figures are for Prince Edward Island bachelor's graduates, the class of 2022 two years after and the class of 2019 five years after, in 2024 dollars.
| Field | Two years after (class of 2022) | Five years after (class of 2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | $65,900 | Not published |
| Business and commerce | $52,500 | $67,600 |
| Nursing | $89,800 | $90,900 |
| Life sciences | $49,200 | $66,400 |
| Education (teaching) | $61,500 | $74,500 |
What careers do UPEI programs lead to?
Two careers per field the school teaches, each with its pay, training and what the work is like.
- Civil EngineerRoads, bridges, water and buildings. A four-year degree, then a licence that lets you sign the drawings.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Mechanical EngineerMachines, engines, heating systems and factories. The biggest engineering discipline, with the widest choice of employers.$95kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Accountant (CPA)The money behind every business. A degree, a national exam, and a designation that travels.$84kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Financial AnalystRead the numbers behind a company or a deal and tell people what they mean. A degree, then years of exams.$90kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Registered NurseCare for patients in hospitals, clinics and homes. In demand everywhere in Canada.$90kTypical pay4 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
- Nurse PractitionerA nurse with a master's degree who can diagnose, order tests and prescribe. Two degrees, six figures, huge demand.$128kTypical pay8 to 9 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
- PhysiotherapistGet people moving again after injury, surgery and illness. A tough master's to get into, then steady work everywhere.$96kTypical pay6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- KinesiologistMovement, exercise and rehab science. A popular 4-year degree that opens doors, often to more school.$67kTypical pay4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- BiologistStudy living things for a government, a university or a consulting firm. The degree is the easy part; the funding is the hard part.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
Compare UPEI with other universities
Side by side: programs, averages, costs and outcomes.
Or open Acadia University's own page, or the list of every university on Careerhelp.
Where these numbers come from
Checked 2026-10-20. Every figure is from the school's own pages or a government table; nothing is estimated.
- Residence: upei.ca (opens in a new tab) (upei.ca (opens in a new tab) ; upei.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Who gets a room: calendar.upei.ca (opens in a new tab) (upei.ca (opens in a new tab) ; upei.ca (opens in a new tab) ; files.upei.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Scholarships: upei.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Fees: calendar.upei.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Satisfaction: files.upei.ca (opens in a new tab) (files.upei.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Rent: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Pay by field: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Arts: upei.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Science: upei.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Kinesiology: upei.ca (opens in a new tab)
How every figure in this part of the site is sourced, and the check of every link.
Careerhelp is not affiliated with any school. Check the program page before you apply; requirements change every year.